Pilot Medical Declaration changes
CAA planning medicals revamp
THE CAA is planning to change several parts of the self-declared medical, aka the Pilot Medical Declaration, after a consultation between November 2023 and January this year got 988 responses.
The key decisions are:
- Introducing a requirement for a pilot to confirm that they hold a UK driving licence. If a pilot does not, they will be required to submit a declaration from a GP to confirm that they meet the DVLA Group 1 driving licence standards.
- Renewals every five years from the date of a pilot’s first PMD until the age of 60, and every two years from the date a pilot turns 60.
- Improving the website to include clear criteria for the PMD, with educational material and links to the DVLA website.
- Improving the application form on the portal and the printable version of the PMD to include date of declaration, date of expiry, pilot’s name and licence number and a space for the pilot to sign the declaration.
- Removing the limitation for pilots who are taking medication for a psychiatric illness.
“This is a positive step, and more aligns the requirements to those of the DVLA Group 1 driving licence,” said the CAA.
“DVLA mental health requirements are sufficient, and the PMD should be aligned with this. This would allow the use of common anti-depressants, which is a positive step.”
Things that stay are as they are:
- No requirement to carry a paper copy or PDF version of the PMD.
- No changes to the ability to undertake cost-sharing flights, with up to three passengers, while using a PMD.
- Microlight instructors and examiners can continue to instruct while using a PMD.
“The PMD project is currently on hold whilst we work to identify an IT system capable of supporting the proposed changes to PMD,” said a CAA statement.
“Once all changes have been implemented and the updated PMD system has been rolled out, all PMD holders will have a period of 12 months within which they must apply for the new PMD.
“After this 12-month period has passed, all PMDs under the previous requirements will no longer be valid.”
